Coach Deion Sanders and his Colorado road warriors did it again, this time at Texas Tech in another hostile environment on national television.

They beat the Red Raiders, 41-27, boosting their quest to crash the Big 12 Conference championship game and earn a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

It was their fourth straight win on the road and came with more big performances from Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado defense.

Hunter, the cornerback-receiver, enhanced his Heisman Trophy campaign with nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback and son of Deion, completed 30 of 43 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

In the meantime, the Colorado defense came up with seven sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries. The Buffaloes also mostly shut down the Red Raiders after falling into a 13-0 first-quarter deficit in front of an announced crowd of 60,229 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock.

The Buffaloes (7-2) entered the game ranked 20th in the playoff rankings and tied for second place in the Big 12 with Iowa State. But after Iowa State lost Saturday at Kansas, 45-36, the Buffaloes now control their own destiny in the Big 12.

They have three regular-season games remaining, starting next week, when they host Utah in a Big Noon game on Fox.

It’s quite a contrast from two years ago, when the Buffs finished 1-11, prompting the hiring of Sanders in December 2022. Sanders’ record in two seasons at CU is now 11-10.

Tech got 137 yards rushing on 31 carries from running back Tahj Brooks but fell to 6-4 on the season. 

The Colorado defense sealed it at the end when the Buffaloes swatted the ball loose from Tech quarterback Behren Morton in his own end zone, leading to a 6-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Colorado safety Shilo Sanders with 51 second left.

Here are the highlights of the game:

Colorado vs. Texas Tech highlights

Texas Tech makes it a one-score game

Uh-oh Colorado. The Buffaloes let Texas Tech cut the lead to 34-27 with 2:12 left but recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt by the Red Raiders. Colorado now just needs to run out the clock after getting the ball at midfield.

Tech made it close on a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jalin Conyers, who raced down the left sideline and pulled the ball down for the score. It was quarterback Behren Morton’s second touchdown pass of the day.

Tahj Brooks breaks Texas Tech rushing record

Texas Tech senior running back Tahj Brooks just set a school career record for rushing yards when he made a 25-yard gain in the fourth quarter against Colorado. He broke the previous school record of 4,219 set by Byron Hanspard in the 1990s. The run gave Brooks 124 yards for the game but Tech still trailed Colorado 34-20 in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Buffs extend lead in fourth quarter

Colorado now controls its own destiny in its quest for the Big 12 championship and is up 34-20 with 9:46 left in the fourth quarter at Texas Tech. The Buffaloes extended their lead with a 33-yard field goal from kicker Alejandro Mata after getting an interception to set up the 24-yard scoring drive from linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, a transfer from Charlotte.

Colorado has scored on six of its last seven possessions. If the Buffs can hold on, they will be alone in second place in the Big 12 standings behind BYU after Iowa State lost Saturday at Kansas.

Chippy, emotional game winding down

Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire took the microphone early in the fourth quarter to address the home crowd in Lubbock.

“Stop throwing stuff on the field!” McGuire said.

Debris had been coming down from the crowd, and it wasn’t just the traditional tortilla tosses. Much of the trash thrown from the crowd has ended up on the Colorado sideline.

Colorado held a 31-20 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Big opportunity for Colorado after Iowa State loss

Kansas beat Iowa State Saturday, 45-36, creating a big opportunity for Colorado. The Buffaloes entered their game at Texas Tech Saturday tied with Iowa State for second place in the Big 12 with a 4-1 record in league play.

Now that Iowa State has lost another Big 12 game, the Buffs control their own destiny in their quest to get into the Big 12 championship game Dec. 7. A win against Tech would put the Buffs no worse than alone in second place with three regular-season games remaining after this.

BYU started the day atop the Big 12 standings with a 5-0 league record.

Colorado had a 31-20 lead at Tech at the end of the third quarter.

End of third quarter: Colorado 31, Texas Tech 20

A fake punt attempt by Texas Tech backfired in a big way for the Red Raiders. Facing fourth down and 5 at their own 31-yard line, the Red Raiders attempted a pass out of a punt formation and threw the ball incomplete.

As a result, Colorado took over at the Tech 31 yard-line and needed just four plays to score a touchdown and take a 31-20 lead with 1:18 left in the third quarter.

The touchdown came from two-way star Travis Hunter, who caught a second-down pass from Shedeur Sanders and raced down the left sideline for the 24-yard score.

Hunter has six catches for 95 yards. Colorado has scored on five straight possessions.

Colorado retakes the lead

Colorado is rolling on offense now and just took a 24-20 lead after getting a 5-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to receiver Will Sheppard.

Sanders lofted the ball in the right corner of the end zone, where Sheppard, a transfer from Vanderbilt, reeled it in to cap a 73-yard scoring drive with 4:25 left in the third quarter.

The Buffaloes have scored on their last four possessions after punting on their first four.

Sanders has completed 21 of 30 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

Texas Tech retakes the lead

Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks took a fourth-down pitch and scored from 2 yards out to help the Red Raiders retake the lead, 20-17, with 7:52 left in the third quarter against Colorado.

Both teams have scored touchdowns to open the second half.

Brooks now has 21 carries for 45 yards as he seeks to break the school record for all-time rushing yardage.

Tech went nine plays for 66 yards on that drive to score its first points since the first quarter.

Colorado takes the lead

Colorado took its first lead of the game on its first possession of the second half after quarterback Shedeur Sanders scored a touchdown on a 7-yard rush up the middle. The Buffs lead 17-13 with 11 minutes left in the third quarter.

Sanders has completed 16 of 25 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, to go along with his rushing touchdown.

Colorado’s defense has held Texas Tech scoreless on its last four drives and has held top running back Tahj Brooks to just 35 yards on 17 carries.

Colorado has now scored 17 unanswered points after Tech opened the game with 13 unanswered points.

Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn injured

Fox Sports reported that Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is questionable to return to play after suffering a lower body injury. It’s not clear what happened. But Horn is one of Colorado’s top receivers, ranking third on the team in catches before Saturday with 33. He did not record a catch Saturday vs. Texas Tech.

Halftime score: Texas Tech 13, Colorado 10

Colorado shook off some early rust to build some momentum and cut Texas Tech’s lead to 13-10 at halftime. The Buffaloes punted on their first four possessions of the game and fell into a 13-0 hole but scored on their final two possessions of the second quarter, capped by a 25-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half.

Tech had a chance to answer after that but missed on a 53-yard field goal.

After two quarters of play, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter has three catches for 51 yards on offense. On defense, he had an interception nullified by an offsides penalty in the second quarter.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders drove the Buffaloes to the Tech 8-yard line on their final drive of the first half but was hurried and threw an incomplete pass on third down, leading to the 25-yard field goal by Alejandro Mata.

The Buffs get the ball first after halftime.

Colorado cuts lead to 13-7

The Buffaloes finally scored on their fifth possession of the game, getting a 23-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders to receiver LaJohntay Wester. Sanders found Wester for a short pass before Wester streaked down the left sideline to help cut Texas Tech’s lead to 13-7 with 7:33 left before halftime.

The Buffaloes had punted on their first four possessions but now have some momentum.

Shedeur Sanders is 8-of-13 passing for 89 yards.

End of first quarter: Texas Tech 13, Colorado 0

Tech has scored on three straight possessions to start the game while Colorado has punted on three possessions to start the game. After one quarter of play, the Red Raiders lead 13-0.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has completed just 3 of 7 passes for 27 yards.

“We just gotta calm down,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders told Fox television after the first quarter.

If this keeps up, it could be a huge opportunity lost for Colorado. Iowa State is losing against Kansas. If the Cyclones lose, the Buffaloes would control their own destiny in their quest to get into the Big 12 championship game. They entered the game tied with Iowa State for second place in the Big 12 with 4-1 records in league play.

Texas Tech is now up 13-0

The Red Raiders have scored on each of their first three drives of the game and are now up 13-0 in the first quarter after another field goal from Gino Garcia, this time from 39 yards.

By contrast, Colorado has started off sluggishly and has punted on its first two possessions of the game after taking last weekend off.

Tech quarterback Behren Morton is 6-for-9 passing for 115 yards and one touchdown to start the game.

Tech takes 10-0 lead

Texas Tech kicker Gino Garcia split the uprights with a 53-yard field goal, giving the Red Raiders a 10-0 lead with 7:04 left in the first quarter. Tech has scored on its first two drives of the game, while Colorado has had the ball only once and punted.

Tech quarterback Behren Morton has completed four of six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown so far.

Travis Hunter tucks away a tortilla

Colorado coach Deion Sanders had some questions earlier this week about Texas Tech’s tradition of throwing tortillas at games. In the first quarter, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter found one on the field, picked it up and appeared to tuck it in his pants.Tech leads 7-0 in the first quarter.

Texas Tech leads 7-0

Texas Tech is fired up and has scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead with 13:50 left in the first quarter. The Red Raiders went 54 yards in four plays to score, capping the drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch from receiver Jalin Conyers. J’Koby Williams started things off with a 46-yard kickoff return to near midfield.

Colorado got the ball after that but punted after going only eight yards in six plays.

When is the Colorado-Texas Tech game?

Kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 9 from Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

How to watch Colorado-Texas Tech game

The game will be broadcast on Fox and also is available on Fubo.

Watch Colorado vs. Texas Tech on Fubo

Can Travis Hunter win the Heisman Trophy?

Another big game today by him on offense, defense or both would further propel his candidacy for the award. He currently is the odds-on favorite to win it, according to BetMGM, ahead of Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

Hunter missed the second halves of two games this season with a shoulder injury but an off week last week helped him heal. His attendance on two national pregame shows last week on Fox and ESPN also boosted his profile.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders said he even would vote for Hunter to the win the trophy over Sanders’ quarterback son Shedeur, who also is a Heisman candidate.

“Travis gets my vote,” Sanders said on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show Saturday in Lubbock.

Shilo Sanders court hearing

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, son of coach Deion Sanders, had an important hearing in his bankruptcy case Thursday in Denver. He was not required to attend and did not as he prepared for Saturday’s game at Tech. His attorneys made arguments on his behalf as he tries get out of more than $11 million in debt related to an incident in 2015.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

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ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced the death of his golden retriever, Ben, earlier this week.

The dog had become popular and a celebrity at college football stadiums where Herbstreit would visit as part of ESPN’s ‘College GameDay.’ On Saturday, ahead of the LSU-Alabama matchup from Baton Rouge, Louisana, ESPN paid tribute to Ben, which included a somber and emotional Herbstreit providing commentary. Herbstreit broke down on the ‘College GameDay’ set leading into the tribute:

‘Dogs are known as man’s best friend. But what do you call a dog that becomes a nation’s best friend?’ Herbstreit asked in the tribute video. ‘You call him, ‘Ben.’ I’ll be honest with you, when I first started bringing Ben on the road, it was for me. I needed a travel companion. Hotel rooms can sometimes feel like islands of solitude. His warm presence became my anchor to home, making my journeys feel less like wandering and more like belonging.

‘When I was working in a hotel room or a broadcast booth, on the ‘College GameDay’ set, reaching down and feeling that fur at my feet, made me feel like I was home.’

Herbstreit then went on to talk about how Ben went from aiding him in his travels to becoming a national celebrity which the country celebrates.

‘Ben wasn’t out here to become a social media star, but he became one just by being himself,’ Herbstreit added. ‘The Rose Bowl named him its ‘chief happiness officer.’ And that’s exactly what he did. He made everyone happy. He did it without even trying. He just wagged that tail or nestled up against strangers like they were family. And that’s what they became.

‘On planes, in hotel lobbies, on the beach or in the mountains, it did not matter if you were a college student, a movie star, a national championship quarterback or even a state governor. Ben didn’t care who you were. Everyone deserved his love. I think we can all learn from that. At a time when everything is aimed to divide us, our love of football unites us every weekend.

‘What I experienced with Ben was that and so much more. A dog’s only flaw as a species is they don’t live long enough. But the warmth they give us, that never goes away. So neither will Ben. This man’s best friend who became America’s best friend.’

Herbstreit announced Ben’s death on Thursday after a battle with cancer. He made his final in-stadium appearance on Oct. 26 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, for the Texas A&M-LSU matchup.

‘This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know. We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Bens organs and there was nothing left we could do-we had to let him go,’ Herbstreit announced on social media.

Ben was met from an outpouring of support from humans and dogs alike, including Washington’s Dubs and Texas A&M’s Reveille. There were multiple signs in the ‘College GameDay’ crowd as well.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play in the final match of the first round in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night against Atlanta United.

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. Argentina) at Chase Stadium, and available to live stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Inter Miami and Atlanta are tied 1-1 in their series: Inter Miami won Game 1, while Atlanta won Game 2. The score was 2-1 in both matches. Now, Messi and Inter Miami hope to survive and advance to keep their historic MLS season alive.

Messi has been scoreless through the first two MLS playoff games of his career.

Will Messi deliver in Game 3?

Follow along here as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from the Inter Miami-Atlanta match tonight:

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United live stream?

The match is available to stream here: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is expected to start and captain Inter Miami in Saturday’s decisive playoff game.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United prediction

Inter Miami 3, Atlanta United 1: Messi, Luis Suarez and Diego Gomez score for Inter Miami to win Game 3 and advance to the next round of the MLS Cup playoffs. Messi and Suarez are Inter Miami’s scoring leaders, so expect them to lead the charge with Jordi Alba finding them in open space. Diego Gomez has missed two shots near the net in Game 1 and 2, and also finds his way into the net in this one. – Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United betting odds

Here are the BETMGM moneyline odds: Inter Miami (-275); Atlanta (+575); Draw after regulation (+425). The over/under is set at 3.5 goals.

How to watch MLS Cup Playoffs games today

The match between No. 1 seed Inter Miami and No. 9 Atlanta is the final match in a playoff tripleheader between Eastern Conference teams on Saturday.

No. 3 Cincinnati hosts No. 6 New York City FC at 4 p.m. in the first match, available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

No. 4 Orlando City will face No. 5 Charlotte at 6 p.m. in the second match, also available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

LAFC, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, advanced past No. 8 Vancouver with a 1-0 win in Game 3 to end their first-round series on Friday night.

MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals almost set

The Western Conference semifinals are set: No. 1 LAFC faces No. 4 Seattle, while No. 2 L.A. Galaxy faces No. 6 Minnesota.

The Eastern Conference semifinals will be set on Saturday night.

No. 7 New York Red Bulls – which eliminated reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew – awaits the winner between Cincinnati and NYCFC.

The Inter Miami-Atlanta winner will face the Orlando City-Charlotte winner.

Messi likely to join Argentina for two matches between MLS Cup Playoffs

Messi has been called up by the Argentine national team for two matches next week: Argentina visits Paraguay on Nov. 14, and hosts Peru in Buenos Aires on Nov. 19.

The matches are for World Cup 2026 qualifying during a FIFA international window between the first round and the conference semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

MLS Cup Playoff dates

The conference semifinals are Nov. 23-24. The conference finals will be played Nov. 30-Dec. 1. And the MLS Cup final is Dec. 7.

The Winnipeg Jets set a record for best start in NHL history, downing the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Saturday to become the league’s first team to win 14 of its opening 15 games.

The Ottawa Senators won 13 of their first 14 games in 2007-08.

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 32 shots in the process, he set the franchise shutout streak record at 191 minutes, 45 seconds.

Alex Iafallo and Vladislav Namestnikov each had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg. Rasmus Kupari and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored and Cole Perfetti had two assists.

Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger was chased 29:21 into the game after making only 11 saves on 15 shots.

Dallas was able to salvage a goal that ended Hellebuyck’s shutout streak before it reached three consecutive games. Roope Hintz scored with 1:22 remaining on assists from Thomas Harley and Evgenii Dadonov.

It’s halftime of another wild NFL season, the perfect time to ponder key questions…

Can the Chiefs run the table for a perfect season? 

As if making history as the first threepeat Super Bowl champ isn’t enough of a challenge, KC has added another layer of intrigue by hitting midseason as the NFL’s only undefeated team (8-0). It’s striking that just two of the Chiefs’ results have come with margins of victories of more than one possession.

They are hardly blowing out opponents, yet merely finding multiple ways to win. Lately, closing has been a concern as KC’s defense has allowed a late TD in three consecutive games. Then again, this is a “rich-team problem” because with Patrick Mahomes in tow it would be a bigger worry if the Chiefs couldn’t score in crunch time. In any event, the toughest threat to perfection could come in Week 11 at Buffalo. Survive that and other playoff contenders line up, including the Steelers for a Christmas matchup in Pittsburgh. Of course, the most essential test to KC’s perfection will begin in January with another playoff run. 

Besides Lamar Jackson, who else is worthy of MVP consideration? 

Look at Jared Goff. The Lions (7-1) are one of the hottest teams in football, and their quarterback has been in a historic rhythm. Over the past six games, Goff has completed 82.8% of his passes – best ever for a six-game stretch – to manage one of the league’s most explosive units. There’s also been buzz about Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels becoming the first rookie MVP since Jim Brown in 1958. As impactful as Daniels has been to revive Washington’s franchise, the MVP argument loses steam when considering how it went down when he was on the same field with Jackson in Week 6. Jackson, by the way, has already passed for 24 TDs – matching his total for all of last season, when he won MVP honors for the second time. 

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Is this really the Year of the Kicker? 

Yes, maybe until next year. Through nine weeks, kickers have connected on 101 field goals from at least 50 yards, with a 72.1% success rate on 140 attempts. At this rate, the NFL’s record for most 50-yard field goals that was set last season (158) will be shattered. More accurate from longer distances. Simply put, kickers are getting better. Still. 

Will Aaron Rodgers and the Jets emerge from the darkness for a playoff push? 

Unlikely, but still possible. The Jets’ swoon (again) was one of the most compelling subplots during the first half of the season. And this time it wasn’t because the star quarterback suffered a season-ending injury. During a five-game losing streak it was apparent that A-Rod has yet to return to pre-injury form. Yet the Jets (3-6) have reason to hang hopes on a second-half surge. They still have one of the NFL’s best defenses, which starts up front with the incomparable Quinnen Williams. And there’s a favorable schedule. After the game Sunday at Arizona (5-4), the Jets don’t face another team that currently has a winning record until they see the Bills in Week 17. Simply put, Rodgers has run out of excuses. 

Which is the best division title race? 

Well, just one game separates the four teams in the NFC West race. But don’t confuse that tight race with a great race. It’s more of an opportunity for the 49ers (4-4) to rally from their sluggish first half and for Arizona and the Rams (4-4) to seize the moment.

Meanwhile, none of the NFC North teams has a losing record. Check back in a month. The Bears are fading, the Lions (7-1) seem poised to run away with it after winning divisional road games at Minnesota and Green Bay. No, even with the Commanders and Eagles duking it out in the NFC East, the best race in my mind comes from the A-North, where Pittsburgh (6-2) and Baltimore (7-3) will fight for the crown. Like old times. Circle the dates: Week 11 at Pittsburgh. Week 16 on a Saturday afternoon at Baltimore. The race gets extra spice from Cincinnati (4-6), a potential spoiler that lost three games to the Ravens and Chiefs by a combined five points…and has two matchups looming against the Steelers. 

Besides Mike McCarthy, what other coaches are – or should be – on the hot seat? 

Poor McCarthy. The Cowboys have gone belly-up as he (and his staff of assistants) operates on the final contract year. “All-in” could become “All-out.” And after an uninspiring offseason, injuries to Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DeRon Bland and now Dak Prescott, came along to wreak further havoc. McCarthy could have company on the coaching market with the likes of Doug Pederson (Jaguars), Matt Eberflus (Bears) and Brian Daboll (Giants). Although Giants co-owner John Mara has contended that Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are safe, that should be a tough sell on a fan base that has had to stomach the travails of QB Daniel Jones while former G-man Saquon Barkley sparkles with division rival Philly. 

Who should be in the running for Coach of the Year honors? 

Dan Campbell, the Lions coach who drew so much heat when he started on the job talking about biting kneecaps, cannot be overlooked. And not just because the record (7-1) has them in the pole position to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Given how the last season ended with the heartbreak of a collapse in the NFC title game at San Francisco, it was fair to wonder how they would respond. Campbell, remember, told his players that it might have been their only shot at a Super Bowl. He didn’t believe it but made the point that all the grit needed was a bit more hunger to get back to the brink of a championship. They’re not there yet, but it’s evident that the Lions got their groove back.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and Washington’s Dan Quinn will get notice for turnaround jobs. But how about Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid? Established winners often get overlooked for this honor, but Tomlin (17 years without a losing record) made the right moves to revitalize his offense by teaming Russell Wilson with O-coordinator Arthur Smith. And Reid has kept the Chiefs flowing despite the rash of injuries to offensive skilled players that has contributed to the less-than-spectacular numbers (11 TDs, 9 INTs) from Patrick Mahomes. 

Which NFL pattern just keeps on trending? 

Close games. Through nine weeks, 75 games in the NFL were decided by seven points or fewer. That’s more than half the games (54% of 138 contests) and more after nine weeks than at any point in the league’s history. The record for games with such a margin (141) was set in 2022 and is clearly in jeopardy of falling. The nine-week and season marks for games decided by six points or fewer and eight points or fewer (one-possession games) are also trending at record clips.

The competition and last-minute drama surely underscore the NFL’s appeal – or the need to tune in when it matters most. As longtime agent and NFL observer Leigh Steinberg put it: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many games come down to the very end, where the team that has the ball last can win. This is what the NFL always dreamed of. You’re seeing parity play out every week. Remember how people joked that you don’t have to pay attention to the NBA games until the last two minutes? Now it’s getting that way in football.” 

Who is the frontrunner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year? 

Rams GM Les Snead has been so prone to trade away first-round picks, but with Aaron Donald retiring after last season it seemed like a good idea to use a premium pick on a building block for the defense. Thus, Verse is L.A.’s first first-round pick since 2016. And this from a draft that saw the first 14 picks used on offensive players. The Rams bucked the trend in more ways than one. Meanwhile, there’s no secret regarding the frontrunner for offensive rookie honors. Daniels (9 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs) has ignited the Commanders rush as an exciting multi-dimensional threat…and proven to possess a mean Hail Mary heave. 

Which Harbaugh has it better? 

The jury is still out. Jim Harbaugh has rolled back into the NFL with the Chargers (5-3), and his defense has been outstanding under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter. L.A. has given up the fewest points per game (12.6) and is the first unit since the 2019 Patriots to allow 20 points or fewer in the first eight games of the season. The Chargers haven’t yielded a 300-yard passer or 100-yard rusher or 100-yard receiver.

Meanwhile, John Harbaugh could surely use the type of results that his brother’s defense produces to complement his explosive offense. The Ravens (7-3) have scored an NFL-high 318 points, with a 31.8 points-per-game clip which is second to the Lions (32.35). But Baltimore ranks last in the league for passing defense, with hardly the dominant unit that is part of the franchise’s tradition.

So, both brothers have stuff to address. It will all converge during one of the most anticipated matchups in the second half of the season, as the Chargers will host the Ravens in Week 12 on Monday Night Football in another “Harbaugh Bowl.” Maybe it will be a playoff preview. After all, in 2013 they became the first brothers to face off as opposing coaches in a Super Bowl (XLVII), with Jim’s 49ers falling to the Ravens at the Superdome in New Orleans. 

Just 26 years old, Soto is one of the best players to ever hit the open market and is expected to fetch more than $600 million, perhaps making a run at Shohei Ohtani’s record $700 million deal last winter. Soto spent 2024 with the Yankees and they’re the odds-on favorite to bring him back to the Bronx.

While Soto headlines the 2024-25 free agents, he’s joined by Cy Young winners Blake Snell (Giants) and Corbin Burnes (Orioles) atop the class, along with third baseman Alex Bregman (Astros), first baseman Pete Alonso (Mets) and 2022 Cy Young runner-up Max Fried (Atlanta).

Here’s where USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers and editors see the top free agents ending up:

Juan Soto

∙ Bob Nightengale: Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays still have $700 million burning a hole in their wallet, and after Yankees refuse to budge from their original offer, the Blue Jays swoop in and get their man for $630 million over 14 years.

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∙ Gabe Lacques: New York Yankees – It’s either scratch a half-billion dollar check or try to “replace him in the aggregate.” And that’s largely not possible given what else is on the market and in the minor-league system.

∙ Steve Gardner:New York Yankees – He’ll listen to offers and Scott Boras will do his due diligence, but Soto’s career-high homer total last season was boosted by Yankee Stadium’s short porch. The Yankees can’t afford to lose Soto’s left-handed power bat so look for him to enjoy that home-park advantage for years to come.

∙ Scott Boeck: New York Yankees – Soto said he was available to all 30 teams after the World Series, but only a few can realistically afford him. The Bronx – and Yankee Stadium’s short porch – is the best fit for him.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: New York Yankees – A reunion just makes sense with the Yankees and Soto, who would be paired with Aaron Judge for (at least) seven more opportunities to win a World Series together.

Blake Snell

∙ Bob Nightengale: San Francisco Giants – He didn’t want to sign there a year ago, but the market collapsed. He showed what he’s capable of with his monster second half, and the Giants fell in love with him. It’s not his hometown of Seattle, but it’s close enough.

∙ Gabe Lacques: San Francisco Giants – The Buster Posey Administration needs a W to earn credibility with fans, Snell was comfortable enough there and they’ve been sitting on fat stacks of cash for quite a while now.

∙ Steve Gardner: San Diego Padres – A return to San Diego isn’t out of the question. He won a Cy Young there and the Padres may be only one bold move away from overtaking the Dodgers. Getting a left-hander for their all-righty rotation just might be the missing piece.

∙ Scott Boeck: San Francisco Giants – The two-time Cy Young winner remains in the Bay where he became a very reliable starter after a horrific start to the 2024 season. Just sign him before spring training starts or the Red Sox may grab him.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: Los Angeles Angels – In the mix for the two-time Cy Young winner’s services last winter (and spring), maybe the Angels will pull the trigger this time, committing multiple years to Snell for their upcoming battle with the Athletics for fifth place in the AL West.

Corbin Burnes

∙ Bob Nightengale: Chicago Cubs – Hey, his former boss fled the Brewers for the Cubs, so why can’t he join Craig Counsell and come along too, and really be hated in Milwaukee? Living at home in Phoenix during spring training simply may be too good to pass up.

∙ Gabe Lacques: New York Mets – With three starters off to free agency, the Mets can pay upper-middle-class prices for volatile replacements, or burn some Cohen Cash on what looks like the surest bet on the market.

∙ Steve Gardner: New York Mets – Losing out on the bidding for Soto, the Mets will pivot to pitching. Burnes is the next-biggest name on the block and will provide the durability and consistency they desperately need with last year’s top two starters, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, also free agents.

∙ Scott Boeck: New York Mets – The Mets will turn to Burnes, not Snell, to lead be the ace of the staff. Unfortunately for the Orioles, billionaire owner Cohen will outbid them and every other team.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: New York Yankees – After Gerrit Cole’s bizarre opt-out saga, the Yankees really should add another sure thing to the rotation. The former Cy Young winner is the safest bet of the aces on the market this winter and stealing him from the Orioles would further move the needle in the always-competitive AL East, putting Baltimore’s new ownership on the back foot.

Alex Bregman

∙ Bob Nightengale: New York Yankees – Bregman has always loved the spotlight, dreamed of playing on the big stage, and what’s bigger than New York. He’ll have both New York teams bidding for him but the Yankees will be the ultimate winner.

∙ Gabe Lacques: Washington Nationals – Jim Crane gets pushed beyond his comfort level and lets another dynasty-building asset walk from Houston. Bregman becomes the veteran glue for a promising core that needs a north star.

∙ Steve Gardner:Houston Astros – Is there any way the Astros actually let Bregman walk? Teammates and fans want him back, plus he’d be crazy to leave Houston, where his medium pull power is tailor-made for depositing home runs into the Crawford Boxes in left field.

∙ Scott Boeck: Houston Astros – It’s hard to see Bregman, the face of the franchise, depart after nine years. But then again, Houston let All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa walk.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: New York Mets – Boras floated the possibility of Bregman playing second base, which brings the Mets into the conversation since the NL runners-up have Mark Vientos now firmly entrenched at third. The 30-year-old Bregman is coming off the worst season of his career and his 2025 employer may be largely determined by the trickle-down effects of Soto’s courtship.

Pete Alonso

∙ Bob Nightengale: Seattle Mariners – Alonso learns that the Mets never really wanted him back after all, instead pursuing Christian Walker. The Yankees hit the pause button as well. Alonso drops into the Mariners’ laps, wishing they would have taken a trade offer from the Mets this past summer.

∙ Gabe Lacques: New York Mets – He already was making $20.5 million, so a bump into the 30s won’t be a major sticker shock. A near-miss on Soto leaves the club hungry to retain some identity.

∙ Steve Gardner: New York Mets – The Polar Bear is beloved in Queens, especially after helping lead the upstart Mets to the NLCS. They need pitching more, but they also can’t afford to risk alienating an energized fanbase.

∙ Scott Boeck: New York Mets – Despite the ups-and-downs in Queens, the Mets have to bring back Alonso and pay the man his money.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: New York Mets – One of the most popular players in Mets history, Alonso just doesn’t have the same intrinsic value elsewhere. He’d be a huge addition for teams in need of power and/or a first baseman, it’s hard to see Cohen letting him go elsewhere if the Mets don’t win the Soto sweepstakes.

Max Fried

∙ Bob Nightengale: Baltimore Orioles – Atlanta was scared to death about his arm and those fears have been echoed by several of the big-market teams. The Orioles can’t afford to be picky, and grab him to replace Burnes in the rotation.

∙ Gabe Lacques: Seattle Mariners – In desperate need of bats, they find them by trading a prized young pitcher or two – and backfill with Fried, a more economical option than Snell or Burnes.

∙ Steve Gardner: Baltimore Orioles – The O’s have a low payroll and need an ace to be legit World Series contenders. Retaining Burnes or going after Snell will likely cost more, so they’ll turn to Fried. Adding a lefty makes sense with Camden Yards’ vast expanse in left field, though Fried is more of ground-ball pitcher anyway.

∙ Scott Boeck: Los Angeles Dodgers – Fried established himself as a true ace in Atlanta, but the Dodgers are big spenders. And what a compliment he would be to Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani when the two-way star returns to the mound.

∙ Jesse Yomtov: San Diego Padres – Originally drafted by San Diego and ultimately traded to the Braves for Justin Upton in 2014, the Southern California native would be a good fit with Joe Musgrove set to miss 2025 after Tommy John surgery.

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Shortly after the University of Wyoming’s decision last month to forfeit a women’s volleyball game against San Jose State due to the presence of a reportedly transgender player, associate head coach Becky Baker expressed concerns that a closely-divided team’s preferences about whether to play were being usurped by outside political pressure, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports through an open records request.

In an Oct. 2 e-mail to head coach Kaylee Prigge, who was away from the team on maternity leave, Baker attached a rundown of events that had occurred over the previous week as the controversy was exploding across the Mountain West Conference. 

Four teams in the league — Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State, Nevada — have decided not to play San Jose State even though the player in question is eligible according to NCAA and conference rules and has been on the team for two seasons prior to this one without incident or controversy. USA TODAY Sports is not naming the player because neither she nor the school has commented on or confirmed her gender identity.

San Jose State is now second in the league at 11-4. Wyoming is 6-9 and could very well fail to qualify for the six-team conference tournament at the end of this month due to the two losses it forfeited against the Spartans. Wyoming is currently in seventh place, 2 ½ games behind sixth place. 

Though the document Baker sent to Prigge is heavily redacted, it outlines a meeting that took place on Sept. 30 — five days before the first game was scheduled — with the team and athletics director Tom Burman, deputy athletics director Matt Whisenant and senior women’s administrator Taylor Stuemky.

At the meeting, according to Baker, Burman “shared his personal opinions and acknowledged how hard of a spot the girls are in” before asking them to write “yes” or “no” on a piece of paper without their names attached. 

According to the document, Whisenant told Baker that the vote was 9-9 with one player abstaining and that he then informed her the team would not play the game.

“I asked him and Taylor very specifically to make this about the people up top and the political pressures essentially taking the decision away from us,” Baker wrote. “He wanted to mention that more people said ‘no’ than last week which is influencing their decision and if our team knows/thinks that is why we canceled I don’t think I’ll ever get them back from a cultural standpoint.” 

Baker wrote that the next day, the team had another meeting where Whisenant explained why they were forfeiting. A player, whose name was redacted, “asked him straight up if our vote is what did it and he said that their vote was valued but that in the end it went above us,” Baker wrote. 

Baker went on to write that the practice that day was “out of sorts” and that she expected the decision would cause dissension because of how it unfolded. 

“I imagine several girls are going to find me because they are pissed,” Baker wrote. “(Player’s name redacted) also then posted on their Instagram stories which is whatever cause I can’t control that, but felt pretty inconsiderate to their teammates who I know are upset.” 

Baker also wrote that Burman, the athletics director, “came in and is distraught about how this is going to impact the team and confirmed it would have been taken out of his hands regardless, but I think he is getting hit with how hard this is going to effect us.” 

In a Sept. 27 e-mail responding to a person whose name was redacted after Boise State became the first Mountain West team to forfeit, Burman appears conflicted on the matter, writing that he doesn’t believe it is appropriate to have a transgender player while admitting she is eligible to compete. 

“I do think it’s important to note, we have played against this athlete for the past two seasons and our student-athletes felt safe in the previous matches,” Burman wrote. ‘She is not the best or most dominant hitter on the Spartans team. Having said that it doesn’t make it ok. We have made our position known to the MWC and San Jose State that we think this is inappropriate, but she does meet all the NCAA standards for competition and is eligible.

‘If we did choose to not compete, we would have to forfeit both matches and our student-athletes are not in favor of forfeiting two matches. We will continue to chat with our team and if some choose not to play, we will absolutely support that decision.”

This story has been updated to include new information and headlines

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is out indefinitely after suffering a left hamstring strain, the team announced Saturday.

The team said the oft-injured Williamson had medical imaging on Saturday morning to confirm the injury and that further updates would be appropriately provided.

This continues a trend for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and two-time All-Star, as he has dealt with numerous injuries during his career, having missed games this year with the hamstring injury and an illness.

He has also dealt with foot, quad and knee issues, limiting him to 190 games played in his five seasons, although he played a career-high 70 games last season.

Williamson, 24, signed a five-year, $197 million contract extension in 2022, but reportedly, the final three years of that deal are not guaranteed, with provisions built into the contract concerning games played and his struggles with conditioning. He is making $36.7 million this season.

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Williamson is averaging 22.7 points, eight rebounds and 5.3 assists for New Orleans (3-7), which has lost seven of its last eight games.